మంత్రసాని ముందర మర్మము దాచినట్టు
mantrasani mundara marmamu dachinattu
Like covering the body before the midwife. Hide nothing from thy minister, physician, and lawyer.
This expression is used to describe a futile attempt to hide something from an expert or someone who already knows the truth. Just as it is impossible or unnecessary to hide one's body or the process of childbirth from a midwife, it is foolish to try and conceal facts from those who are intimately involved or experienced in a matter.
Related Phrases
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్లు.
palaku vachchi munta dachinatlu.
Like coming for milk but hiding the vessel.
This proverb is used to describe a person who approaches someone for help or with a specific purpose but hesitates to speak their mind or hides their true intentions due to shyness, false pride, or unnecessary secrecy. It highlights the irony of wanting something while being too secretive to ask for it.
తల్లిగండము పిల్లగండము ఉన్నదిగాని మంత్రసాని గండము ఉన్నదా?
talligandamu pillagandamu unnadigani mantrasani gandamu unnada?
Evil may be predicted to the mother or to the child, but will any harm come to the midwife?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person in charge or a middleman remains safe and unaffected while the primary parties involved face all the risks and consequences. It highlights the immunity or lack of accountability of a facilitator when things go wrong for those they are serving.
మూగవాని ముందర ముక్కు గోకుకున్నట్లు
mugavani mundara mukku gokukunnatlu
Like scratching your nose in front of a dumb man. This enrages him. Deriding the defects of another.
This proverb describes a situation where an action is misinterpreted by someone who cannot speak up or clarify. In Telugu culture, scratching the nose is sometimes associated with a gesture for 'shame' or a specific sign language cue. Since the mute person cannot ask for clarification, they may wrongly assume the person is mocking them or signaling something negative. It is used to describe doing something ambiguous or suspicious in front of someone who is unable to question or protest it.
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్టు
palaku vachchi munta dachinattu
Begging for milk and hiding his cup.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone approaches another person for help or a favor but is too hesitant, shy, or secretive to state their actual need. It highlights the irony of intending to ask for something while concealing the very tool or reason needed to receive it.
Poverty and pride.
మూగవాని ముందర ముక్కు గోకుకొన్నట్లు
mugavani mundara mukku gokukonnatlu
Like scratching one's nose in front of a mute person.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an action is misinterpreted due to a lack of communication or context. In this metaphor, a mute person might mistake the simple act of scratching one's nose as a hand sign or a mockery, as they rely heavily on visual cues. It refers to doing something that inadvertently causes confusion or gives a wrong signal to someone who is already limited in their ability to understand the intent.
మొగుడు లేని దానికి మంత్రసాని ఎందుకు?
mogudu leni daniki mantrasani enduku?
What does a woman without a husband want with a midwife ?
This proverb is used to highlight the absurdity of preparing for an outcome that is impossible or irrelevant due to the absence of the primary cause. Just as a woman without a husband cannot become pregnant and thus doesn't need a midwife, one shouldn't waste resources or worry about processes for a situation that hasn't even begun or cannot occur.
కుండలు దాచినా, కండలు దాచలేము
kundalu dachina, kandalu dachalemu
Even if you hide the pots, you cannot hide the muscles.
This proverb is used to explain that while one can hide the physical evidence of eating well (the pots used for cooking), the physical health and strength gained from it (the muscles) will eventually reveal the truth. In a broader sense, it means that internal development or true character cannot be concealed for long, even if the external process is kept secret.
చల్లకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచుకొన్నట్టు
challaku vachchi munta dachukonnattu
Coming to beg buttermilk and hiding the cup.
This proverb refers to a person who approaches someone for help or a favor but is too hesitant, shy, or deceitful to state their true intention. It describes a situation where someone acts with false modesty or lacks the transparency needed to achieve their goal, much like someone visiting a neighbor to ask for buttermilk while trying to hide the vessel they brought to collect it in.
Pride with poverty. Pride and poverty are ill met yet often together.
మంత్రసాని తనానికి ఒప్పుకున్న తరువాత, ఏది వచ్చినా పట్టాలి.
mantrasani tananiki oppukunna taruvata, edi vachchina pattali.
Once you agree to be a midwife, you must catch whatever comes out.
This proverb emphasizes commitment and responsibility. Once you have voluntarily taken up a task or a profession, you must be prepared to face all the challenges, difficulties, or messy situations that come with it without complaining.
వచ్చిన కర్మము వద్దంటే పోతుందా?
vachchina karmamu vaddante potunda?
Will the destiny that has arrived go away just because you say no?
This proverb is used to express that one must face the consequences of their past actions (Karma) or inevitable life situations. It suggests that once a certain fate or trouble has arrived, it cannot be avoided simply by wishing it away or refusing to accept it; one must endure and go through it.